First Lady appreciates Kenyans’ support to Beyond Zero campaign

June 8, 2016 9:54 am

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The First Lady was speaking Tuesday when she handed over the 41st fully kitted Beyond Zero mobile clinic to Vihiga County/PSCU

By PSCU, VIHIGA, Kenya, Jun 8 – First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has thanked Kenyans for supporting her Beyond Zero campaign by helping in raising funds to increase mothers and children access to health services.

She said through their goodwill and that of the national and the county governments as well as the private sector, she has so far managed to deliver 41 fully kitted mobile clinics to the counties.

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Overview

First Lady toured Vihiga referral hospital where she was briefed on various activities in the hospital and especially the maternity services.

The maternity wing has a bed capacity of 47 and admits 25 mothers per day.

The Hospital has benefitted from the Medical Equipment Scheme and it has new facilities at the Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD), modern theatre, X-rays and renal unit.

The clinics are intended to take health services closer to communities to reduce maternal and child mortality.

“The Beyond Zero clinics which supplement the county government health facilities, are a result of joint effort of thousands of Kenyans. They have run with me since 2013 in marathons to raise funds to support the health of our mothers and children,” said the First Lady.

The First Lady was speaking Tuesday when she handed over the 41st fully kitted Beyond Zero mobile clinic to Vihiga County. The mobile clinic was donated by the Rotary International and Bank M.

Although a lot of progress has been made in terms of reducing mother to child HIV Transmission, the First Lady said a significant number of expectant women in the country still do not have access to ante-natal and post-natal health services.

She said championing issues of access to better healthcare is a cause that could unite all Kenyans.

“Maternal and child mortality, malnutrition, HIV AIDs-are issues that demand the attention of everybody in this country and we can all agree on how they need to be addressed,” she affirmed.

The First Lady said Kenyans could achieve more in unity rather than working separately as individuals.

The First Lady commended Vihiga County Government for investing a lot of its resources to the health sector, saying the move will over time be reflected in the health of its residents.

“I believe the establishment of the County Medical Training College is a critical step in building the capacity of your hospitals and I’m also excited to hear about the upgrades that are happening to six health facilities in five sub-countries,” said Mrs Kenyatta.

She also applauded the Governors’ spouse, Mrs Elizabeth Akaranga, for working tirelessly to promote the health of young girls and women in the county.

Acting Director of Medical Services Dr Jackson Kioko thanked the First Lady for providing strong leadership in the initiatives to bring change to the health sector.

“You have been a strong pillar to the health sector. We have seen major progress in this sector through your passion,” said Dr Kioko.

Governor Moses Akaranga thanked the First Lady for her initiative saying Beyond Zero mobile clinic marks a new chapter in the delivery of healthcare services to the residents of Vihiga County.

“There were those who were doubting your zeal and passion to deliver mobile clinics, now they can see, here is a proof of your efforts,” said Governor Akaranga.

Earlier, the First Lady toured Vihiga referral hospital where she was briefed on various activities in the hospital and especially the maternity services.

The maternity wing has a bed capacity of 47 and admits 25 mothers per day.

The Hospital has benefitted from the Medical Equipment Scheme and it has new facilities at the Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD), modern theatre, X-rays and renal unit.